The Problem Why Does Wool Outperform Other Fibers?
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PROVIDES PROTECTION THE PROBLEM THE RESEARCH KEY MEASURES OF FLAMMABILITY FOR COMMON TEXTILE FIBERS The fire performance When the flame performance of wool of carpets is extremely carpets are compared to carpets made from Fiber Limiting Heat of Ignition Melting Oxygen combustion temperature temperature important for the safety of man-made fibers, wool demonstrates a higher Index (%) (Kcal/g) (°C) (°C) the entire building envelope. Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI), higher ignition Wool 25.2 4.9 570–600 Does not melt The key safety criteria for an interior temperature and lower melting temperature. Cotton 18.4 3.9 255 Does not melt Nylon 20.1 7.9 485–575 160–260 textile is it’s ignitability, the rate of Wool carpets also require more energy to flame spread once ignited and it’s Polyester 20.6 5.7 485–560 252–292 ignite and they demonstrate a lower smoke Rayon 19.7 3.9 420 Does not melt smoke emission. emission compared to man-made carpets. NBS FLOORING RADIANT PANEL TESTS LIMITING OXYGEN INDEX (LOI) ENERGY REQUIRED WHY DOES WOOL RESULTS FOR TOTAL SMOKE EMISSION OF COMMON TEXTILE FIBERS TO IGNITE CARPETS 100% WOOL WOOL CARPET ONLY OUTPERFORM WOOL CARPET & UNDERLAY OTHER FIBERS? NYLON WOOL/NYLON 100% NYLON POLYESTER NYLON ACRYLIC 100% POLYPROPYLENE POLYPROPYLENE Wool carpet is naturally flame resistant POLYPROPYLENE and outperforms all other common carpet textile fibers. The flame BEST WORST WORST BEST WORST BEST retardancy of wool is due to wool’s unique chemical structure, • When combustion occurs, wool fiber • Wool textile fibers require more • Wool fiber carpets require more and high nitrogen and water contents. carpets emit less smoke compared to oxygen to support combustion energy to ignite compared to This means wool carpet has the man-made fiber carpets. compared to man-made textile fibers. man-made fiber carpets. following benefits: • It takes a very high temperature to ignite KEY POINTS • A low rate of heat release WHY • Wool is naturally flame resistant, and it’s performance exceeds that = • Doesn’t melt or stick upon burning WOOL IS of all other commonly encountered textile fibers • It is self extinguishing A GOOD • Wool has a low energy release (heat of combustion) once combusted CHOICE • It forms an insulating char when and a result is the low rate of heat release it burns • If wool comes into direct contact with another burning surface it won’t melt Wool carpets have exceptionally • Evolution of less smoke and or stick. It is also self extinguishing once the ignition source is removed low levels of flammability and are a toxic gases formed during • Wool forms an insulating char when it burns and produces less smoke and sensible choice for creating safe and combustion compared to most man- toxic gases than are formed during the combustion of most man-made fibers. healthy indoor environments. made fibers..